How fast does a tumor grow?

Bethany77 · 06-08-2017, 03:01 PM

I took my hamster, Vanilla, to the vet last Thursday because he had a lump on his chest area. The vet said it was likely to be a tumor but gave us antibiotics just incase it was an absess.

The vet also said to give him the antibiotics for a week only and then if it doesn't get better it's certain it is a tumor. I just checked the lump a few minutes ago and it is massive! I'm certain it has doubled in size since last week and he has been having his medicine but it did not work.

The vet said that surgery was not an option here as the tumor is on his chest area and cutting too deep would mean it would kill him and the operation is too risky.

I'm so worried he is in a lot of pain as he chatters his teeth a lot and I don't know if I should get him put down before it gets too bad because I don't feel like he has long left because it is growing so fast and I don't know if that is normal or not.

souffle · 06-08-2017, 03:15 PM

It does depend on the type of tumour but some can grow quite rapidly. That growth rate does however sound more like an abscess filling up with pus. Does it feel soft and squishy or solid were you able to feel at all? Abscesses can be drained so I would ask if it is possible but if it is getting really large and making him feel pain then I think you need to see the vet again just to see if anything can be done. I hope it is able to be sorted. What age is he?

Bethany77 · 06-08-2017, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by souffle

It does depend on the type of tumour but some can grow quite rapidly. That growth rate does however sound more like an abscess filling up with pus. Does it feel soft and squishy or solid were you able to feel at all? Abscesses can be drained so I would ask if it is possible but if it is getting really large and making him feel pain then I think you need to see the vet again just to see if anything can be done. I hope it is able to be sorted. What age is he?

To me, it does actually look quite squishy but he won't let me touch it. I'll make an appointment to hopefully see the vet next week. Vanilla is around 7 months.

**Cinnamon Bear** · 06-08-2017, 06:42 PM

Hope the vet is able to see your hammy and give you professional diagnosis. If the tumor is slowly growing or growing fast, that is not a good sign. Just spoil your hammy and enjoy every moment with her while you have her. Hope for a long life yet to come with her.

Winterjay · 06-15-2017, 09:06 AM

My hamsters had hard tumors and they grew very quickly. From one day with nothing to a lump the size of a dime in three days (that's huge on a dwarf).

In general i have found that 'soft' tumors grow slower and are easier to treat.

You definitely need to have the vet make the diagnosis.

Good luck with your hammy.

**Cinnamon Bear** · 06-15-2017, 09:57 AM

My robo had a neither soft or hard (somewhere in the middle) tumor that got bigger everyday. It was the size of a quarter about. Over a 3 mo period of time it ruptured & bled & Latte was biting that area. On lower back. So I rushed her to an after hours emergency vet who had her PTS.